I love the desert. I spent about 6 months in Southern California in 93, 2 weeks at a time. Every weekend that I was there, I went across the mountains and spent in Joshua Tree National Monument. After that job, I got sent to Tucson for a couple of months (again, 2 weeks at time) in Jan & Feb. It rained a couple of times while I was there and the transformation was nothing short of miraculous (sp?). I know a lot of people don't get it but it's a different kind of beauty than the traditional forest, lake, waterfall thing. It's rugged and gives one a sense of independence and self-reliance.

hoskm01

01-31-2009, 08:57 PM

I love the desert. I spent about 6 months in Southern California in 93, 2 weeks at a time. Every weekend that I was there, I went across the mountains and spent in Joshua Tree National Monument. After that job, I got sent to Tucson for a couple of months (again, 2 weeks at time) in Jan & Feb. It rained a couple of times while I was there and the transformation was nothing short of miraculous (sp?). I know a lot of people don't get it but it's a different kind of beauty than the traditional forest, lake, waterfall thing. It's rugged and gives one a sense of independence and self-reliance.
Just wait till ML sticks around, if he does, until the Spring bloom. Pictures were posted last year of it, it is indeed miraculous. Have a dry winter, and it is lackluster.

EagleLandscape

01-31-2009, 09:16 PM

looks like an arid wasteland to me:)

Mike Leary

01-31-2009, 09:19 PM

Have a dry winter, and it is lackluster.

From what the locals tell me, we're doing fair; a wet February is needed.

hoskm01

01-31-2009, 09:27 PM

From what the locals tell me, we're doing fair; a wet February is needed.
The Rents told me Phoenix was on par, as of yet.

When was that, three or four years ago when we had the "perfect storm"? That was the year we saw wildflowers at Death Valley they figured had not bloomed in 100 years.

hoskm01

01-31-2009, 11:38 PM

When was that, three or four years ago when we had the "perfect storm"? That was the year we saw wildflowers at Death Valley they figured had not bloomed in 100 years.
Last year wasnt bad, round Phoenix area. Dont know bout the rest of the area.

Its hit and miss, at best. Would have liked to see Death Valley that year.

Kiril

02-01-2009, 02:36 AM

Nothing quite like the beauty of nature undisturbed ........... except for that damn twinky on a concrete pad.

AI Inc

02-01-2009, 07:02 AM

looks like an arid wasteland to me:)

That would be Nevada

FIMCO-MEISTER

02-02-2009, 06:58 AM

The flip side to Mike's pics

One helluva sprinkler, controlled burns, alligators (I did not throw the coke bottle at the alligator, it was already there.)

FIMCO-MEISTER

02-02-2009, 06:59 AM

Kayaking the Everglades

AI Inc

02-02-2009, 07:02 AM

You went kayaking with alligators?

FIMCO-MEISTER

02-02-2009, 07:10 AM

You went kayaking with alligators?

And took my daughter with me. Separate kayaks. Safer being in a kayak with alligators around than being a motorcyclist on city streets.

AI Inc

02-02-2009, 07:14 AM

And took my daughter with me. Separate kayaks. Safer being in a kayak with alligators around than being a motorcyclist on city streets.

Ill agree with that as I try to not run city streets on a bike.
Few things I dont do
Kayak with gators
Swim with sharks
Hike in grizzly country unarmed
and tell a woman her sister was much better in bed.

FIMCO-MEISTER

02-02-2009, 07:18 AM

Ill agree with that as I try to not run city streets on a bike.
Few things I dont do
Kayak with gators
Swim with sharks
Hike in grizzly country unarmed
and tell a woman her sister was much better in bed.